Adding a Coordinate System in CAMWorks

This article describes how to create and add a SOLIDWORKS coordinate system in CAMWorks.

If a specific coordinate system is needed to control the program zero in CAMWorks, then a SOLIDWORKS coordinate system must first be made in SOLIDWORKS or CAMWorks Solids.

To create a coordinate system:

Click Coordinate System on the Reference Geometry toolbar or Insert>Reference Geometry>Coordinate System.

Use the Coordinate System PropertyManager to create the appropriate coordinate system.

An image of a new Coordinate System can be seen below.

Once a SOLIDWORKS coordinate system is available, the coordinate system can be set as the Fixture Coordinate System by double clicking the Machine in CAMWorks.

Once the Machine dialog box is open, select the Setup tab, choose the Coordinate System name under Coordinate Systems and click OK. Selecting the appropriate coordinate system will automatically populate the Selected entity option.

The operation plans and generated toolpaths will be based upon the selected coordinate system. If the coordinate system was selected after the generation of operation plans and toolpaths, then the CAMWorks setup origin must be changed. The CAMWorks setup origin can be changed by double clicking on the Setup under the CAMWorks Operation Tree.

Once the Part Setup Parameters is open, select the Origin tab, choose Fixture coordinate system under Origin and click OK.

Now the SOLIDWORKS coordinate system is set as the origin within CAMWorks.